New law to up penalties for concealing a child’s death

Kelly Hastings

By Staff reports

Published: Friday, May 17, 2013 at 08:39 PM.

A local representative’s bill to increase the penalty for concealing a child’s death has been signed into law. Rep. Kelly Hastings, who represents Gaston and Cleveland counties, was the primary sponsor of House Bill 149, known as Caylee’s Law. Gov. Pat McCrory signed the bill into law after the state House and Senate gave their approval. The bill stemmed from the death of Caylee Anthony, a 2-year-old Florida girl who died in 2008. Caylee’s mother, Casey, stood trial for her death. Casey was found not guilty of murder, manslaughter and child abuse, but she was found guilty of providing false information to police during the investigation. The new law increases the penalty for concealing the death of a child and for making a false, misleading or unfounded report to a law enforcement agency or officer for the purpose of obstructing an investigation of a missing child or child victim. It also criminalizes the failure to report the abuse, neglect or death of a juvenile due to maltreatment. “Caylee’s Law is the right step for North Carolina in our effort to protect some of our most vulnerable citizens — our children,” Hastings said. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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A local representative’s bill to increase the penalty for concealing a child’s death has been signed into law.
Rep. Kelly Hastings, who represents Gaston and Cleveland counties, was the primary sponsor of House Bill 149, known as Caylee’s Law.
Gov. Pat McCrory signed the bill into law after the state House and Senate gave their approval.
The bill stemmed from the death of Caylee Anthony, a 2-year-old Florida girl who died in 2008.
Caylee’s mother, Casey, stood trial for her death. Casey was found not guilty of murder, manslaughter and child abuse, but she was found guilty of providing false information to police during the investigation.
The new law increases the penalty for concealing the death of a child and for making a false, misleading or unfounded report to a law enforcement agency or officer for the purpose of obstructing an investigation of a missing child or child victim.
It also criminalizes the failure to report the abuse, neglect or death of a juvenile due to maltreatment.
“Caylee’s Law is the right step for North Carolina in our effort to protect some of our most vulnerable citizens — our children,” Hastings said. The Associated Press contributed to this report.